Sam's vet, Charlotte Denston, says he's out of danger in the short term but it is too soon to know if there will be long-term complications.

He's been incredibly lucky because during the path the bullet has managed to miss his heart, quite a few major blood vessels and we think has succeeded in missing his food pipe so he's incredibly lucky to be alive.

– Charlotte Denston, Vet

The pellet is visible towards the left of the x-ray Credit: Coomara Vets

Anyone with any information should email 101@cumbria.police.uk or call 101.